Bookseller and publisher Chuck Miller (b.1953) died on May 24. Miller ran a used bookstore in Pennsylvania before teaming up with Tim Underwood to found the publishing company Underwood-Miller in 1976. The two published several books, beginning with a reprint of Jack Vance’s The Dying Earth before disbanding the company in 1994. Their final project was another reissue of The Dying Earth. They also published works by L. Sprague de Camp, Harlan Ellison, and Philip K. Dick. Miller self-published the novel Blood of the Centipede in 2012.

Tor Editorial Director Julie Crisp has left Pan Macmillan to set up shop as a freelance editor, script doctor, and literary agent. Crisp served as a Senior Commissioning Editor for two years before becoming the Editorial Director in 2010. Her authors included China Miéville, Amanda Hocking, Peter F Hamilton, and Anne Cleeves. In addition to her work at Tor, Crisp had also worked on crime novels for Pan Macmillan.For more information…

Susan Allison, who has served as editorial director for Berkley Publishing Group, including Ace Books, has announced her retirement effective July 1. Allison has been with the company for 33 years. She was made editor-in-chief in 1982 and a vice president in 1985. In 1990, Allison was the guest of honor at World Fantasy Con.

Operation Baen Bulk and Brain&Brain Press are leading Operation Baen Bulk to send Kindle electronic book readers to rehab and recovery centers for injured soldiers. The organization is hoping to raise enough money to donate Kindles preloaded with 500 titles to soldiers who are recuperating from injuries. In 2013, Operation Baen Bulk raised more than $5,000 and donated 80 Kindles.

E-publisher Musa Publishing has announced that they were closing as of March 1. Musa was founded in 2011 and in addition to publishing books, such as Gary K. Wolf’s Who Wacked Roger Rabbit?, also published e-mags, such as the science fiction ‘zine Penumbra. Musa has reverted all rights back to their authors and has announced that purchased e-books will remain available until their domain registration expires.

Gordon van Gelder has announced that Charles Coleman Finlay, who has guest edited two issues of Fantasy and Science Fiction will take on the mantel of editor with the March-April 2015 issue. Van Gelder, who has served as editor since 1997 and publisher of the magazine since 2001, will continue in his role as publisher.

Tor Books has announced a series of beginning of year promotions for staff members. Melissa Frain and Marco Palmieri have been promoted to senior editors at Tor/Forge, Miriam Weinberg has been promoted to editor, and Diana Pho has been promoted to associate editor.

Spanish editor Francisco Porrúa (b.1922) died on December 18. Porrúa founded the Minotauro science fiction press and published Spanish translations of The Lord of the Rings, The Left Hand of Darkness, and The Martian Chronicles. Porrúa was also instrumental in getting Gabriel García Márquez’s novel Cien años de soledad published and recognized.

Ace/Roc Books is looking for readers to help promote their books. Applicants selected to be Ace Roc Stars will receive packages of books (and occasionally swag) over the course of six months in return for promoting the books they like on social media. Applicants for the first group of readers runs until January 4.

Baen Books has announced that in honor of Veteran’s Day, they are releasing an e-book entitled The Many Deaths of Joe Buckley. Half of the proceeds from the volume will go to Operation Baen Bulk, which provides reading material for US troops. The other half of the proceeds will go to ReadAssist, which provides access to books for disabled readers. Joe Buckley is a character who has appeared in numerous books published by Baen and almost always is either killed or comes close to death. He has appeared in works by David Weber, John Ringo, Eric Flint, Sarah Hoyt, Travis Taylor, and others. This charity volume collects a variety of Joe Buckley death scenes.